Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh government on Sunday released irrigation water for the Kharif season to the Godavari Delta from the historic Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage at Dowleswaram.
Tourism minister Kandula Durgesh said the early release of water is aimed at ensuring timely cultivation, thereby protecting farmers from possible drought conditions that may develop later owing to El Niño.
A festive atmosphere prevailed during the water release in the presence of Rajya Sabha member Sana Satish, Kakinada MP Tangella Uday Srinivas, Amalapuram MP Ganti Harish Madhur, MLC Perabathula Rajasekharam, Anaparthi MLA Nallamilli Ramakrishna Reddy and other public representatives.
Addressing the gathering, Durgesh said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had directed officials to release irrigation water ahead of schedule in the interest of farmers. He said about 85,000 acres would receive water through the Eastern Delta Canal, while another 41,000 acres would be covered through the Nidadavolu and Kovvur canal systems.
Supporting the CM’s directives, the minister cited warnings of meteorological experts about the possible impact of El Niño and deficient rainfall. He advised farmers to take up transplantation early. He said advanced release of water will help crops mature sooner and reduce the risk of losses in case there is shortage of rains later.
Durgesh criticised the previous government for allegedly neglecting the Godavari delta and failing to provide funds for repairing the gates of Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage. He said the coalition government has sanctioned Rs 148 crore for the repair of gates. Another Rs 13 crore have been released for canal restoration works, nearly 80 per cent of which has been undertaken through water users’ associations.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajya Sabha member Sana Satish said the government’s commitment to farmers is reflected in the advance release of irrigation water. Kakinada MP Srinivas said the move will benefit the farmers cultivating 1,37,838 acres in Kakinada district alone. Amalapuram MP Harish Madhur said 117 of the Sir Arthur Cotton barrage gates will be replaced with new ones. MLC Rajasekharam said the water release is part of the state’s annual irrigation plan.
Eastern Delta Project Committee chairman Muralasetty Sunil Kumar said 500 cusecs of water had been released into the Eastern Delta system. He maintained that the supplies would be regulated as per the farmers’ needs.
Later, Durgesh participated in a similar irrigation water release programme at Vijjeswaram village.
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